Brussels / Paris, 14/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - In a press release published on Tuesday, CESA, the EU shipbuilders' lobby, deplores the fact that "the European Commission has, once again, not been able to decide on its two-point strategy against unfair practices in Korean shipyards". The association considers it is important for this new delay not to be a "further indication of the EU's inability to adopt a firm position in the face of external aggression". Criticising the procrastination of the EU, it also stresses that "it took the Korean government less than one year to discuss, approve and create a new fund providing interest-free credit to shipowners". The French Trade Union for Shipbuilders considers for its part that, "given the shortcoming of the European Commission", it is now up to the German government to come into line with the French position to finally make a European policy in this sector possible. It deplores the fact that, by invoking the need for additional inquiries, the European Commission has again postponed including oil tankers on the list of vessels eligible for State aid (see EUROPE of 8 May, p.12), intended to protect European shipyards from South Korean dumping. "The Commissioners who took this decision for doctrinal reasons and against Commissioner Pascal Lamy know perfectly well that making no changes to their proposal is as unacceptable for France as it was in December, while evidence of injury caused to the European industry in this market segment is even greater today", writes the professional association. It considers there is the risk that the Industry Council of 6 June will not conclude anything as there will be no qualified majority, insinuating that "this is perhaps the aim sought". The trade union considers that, in order to come out of this impasse, the only solution would be for Chancellor Schröder, who was recently in Brussels to appeal to the Commission in favour of the "traditional" industry, to unreservedly support the French point of view, which would make it possible to reach a qualified majority in Council in favour of a temporary defence mechanism.